Notes offers rich text, plain text, and preview modes. Choose your preferred display in Notes settings → General → Display.
Rich text
Choose Rich text to work with formatted writing without keeping Markdown marks on screen. Use the editor’s available formatting controls for headings, lists, links, and emphasis.
Plain text and Markdown
Choose Plain text to edit the Markdown source. For example, # Heading creates a heading, **bold** marks bold text, and - Item creates a list item. Choose Preview to read the formatted result. The sample-note button on the welcome screen provides more examples.
Focus mode
With a note open on a desktop-sized screen, choose Focus mode in the Notes navigation. It hides the header, categories, and note list to give your writing more room. It does not change the contents of your note.
Press Ctrl + . on Windows or Linux, or Cmd + . on a Mac, to toggle Focus mode. To leave it, use the Exit focus mode control, press the shortcut again, or press Escape. Close an open dialog first if the shortcut does not respond. Focus mode is not offered on phone-sized layouts.
Keyboard shortcuts
Open Notes settings → Shortcuts for the editor shortcut list. Available editing controls can differ between rich text, plain text, and preview.